Board of Directors
The INA Board of Directors consists of nannies, newborn care specialists, educators, agency owners, parents and industry service experts.
As a not-for-profit organization, the INA members choose their Board Members annually. The INA Board is then tasked with making decisions that will benefit our association while being mindful of the individual interests of our members as well as the entire industry.
It is our goal to continually strive to create a team that represents the entire industry. However, we are dependent on those within our community to step up and help us lead. We encourage those who want to make a difference to consider nomination to the INA Board of Directors. Check out our Nomination qualifications and process.
Service on the Board of Directors is not the only way you can have a voice and be involved. We encourage feedback through our Board Meetings, our Members Facebook Group, and via email to info@nanny.org. You can even submit an official proposal to the INA Board on a new idea or project for them to consider. Simply download the Proposal Template and submit it to the INA Secretary 2 weeks before their next Board of Directors Meeting.
We also encourage you to join a committee and be apart of a growing community of professionals. Find the list of Committee Chairs and a description of our committees.
The INA Board has developed Association Strategic Goals for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.
Growth in Membership
- Increase new and lapsed membership by 20%
- Increase retention rate of existing members to 70% – Current retention rate is 61.8%
- Increase diversity in INA membership by 25% – increase race / country of origin / international location / sexual or gender identity / male members)
Growth in Stability:
- Create a nest egg of a total of $115,000. $45,000 allocated for the operating budget and $70,000 for conference expenses. The first year’s goal is to contribute $25,000 and the second year would be to contribute $20,000. On July 1, 2025 we will review the financial health of our accounts and determine if we are able to contribute more than $25,000 this year to the nest egg, with the intention of doing so.
- Increase revenue by $35,000 to allow for hiring additional office support and security needs for INA by end of year 2026.
- Run a conference that is profitable by at least 20%.
Growth in Roots + Branches
- 75% of new board members fully onboarded and trained with committee assignments within 90 days
- Overall an average of 75% or higher satisfaction on the Board Satisfaction Survey tracked quarterly.
- Overall average of 75% or higher of the Members for the Net Promoter Survey tracked through monthly president’s messages.
- Unexpected board attrition of less than 10% annually (unexpected meaning a board member does not honor their full term for any reason)
2025-2026 Board of Directors
Cate Matijevich
President
Cate Matijevich – (Bolingbrook, Illinois) Cate from Chicago, Illinois has worked in the domestic private service industry for over 15 years. Being a nanny and managing principal’s homes is her passion and brings joy beyond what she ever thought was possible. Cate is an avid learner always seeking the best solutions for children and their families. She enjoys staying current with childrearing trends and ongoing professional development trainings. Continuing education is a priority for Cate and she currently attends Florida International University, pursuing her degree in Hospitality Management with a focus in HR and Leadership.
Cate actively participates in events that support the nanny and greater domestic private service industry, including traveling internationally for conferences and events. Her desire to strengthen and grow industry relationships globally, is a proud goal. Cate also directs an Estate Management group that meets monthly to network and continue education.
Recreationally, Cate loves to golf and spend time outdoors with her partner, John, and their three pups. Cate is proudly involved in her local community and volunteers with the village on ad hoc committees and serves as Secretary on her HOA board of directors.
While Cate is always on-the-go, her peers will also say that she makes time for all things important to her, and fulfills her commitments with the utmost pride and diligence. Please see the Committee Appointments list for a list of committees for which Cate is the chair.
Tamara Gardner
Vice President
Tamara Gardner (Baltimore, Maryland) is a career nanny with twelve years of experience, working with children from the newborn stage through the teen years. She has a Bachelors of Science of Psychology from Towson University. Tamara loves to engage with children and families as a whole to create fun, stimulating, and educationally based activities for all the youth she interacts with to thrive.
Her professional childcare experience includes seasons in both the fields of Nannying and public childcare sector.
As a nanny, Tamara has worked with children in the capacity of Multiple Sibling Care, Nanny Shares, Special Events, and more. In addition to nannying, her public childcare experience also includes her work as an After School Program Director, Child Watch Area Coordinator, and Summer Camp Leadership, focusing on developing and executing monthly youth centered events, daily child care, programmatic advancement and complex financial responsibilities.
Tamara believes one should never let the fear of the unknown and matters being too difficult, shape one choice and decision in life; and hopes to utilize all her experiences to be a dedicated addition to the INA Board, given the opportunity. Please see the Committee Appointments list for a list of committees for which Tamara is the chair.
Tassecia Simpson-Little
Treasurer
Tassecia Simpson-Little (Yonkers, New York) Is better known as Sherry to some. I am a proud professional nanny with over a 20-year career history. I was born in Jamaica, West Indies where I spent most of my childhood days, until I migrated to the US in 1992 at the age of 12. I grew up in the Bronx, NY. Although I experienced this great culture shock I enjoyed my new schools, friends and family. It took a lot of getting used to, and with the help of great teachers and mentors I was able to adapt easily. During my first year high school year I attended a job readiness program where they placed me to intern in an after school program working with elementary aged children. I believe that is when I realized my love for children and wanting to be a great mentor to them just like I had growing up in such a diverse country.
I consider myself a fun and creative individual. I love the outdoors and think it’s best to enjoy it when I can. I like trying new things and definitely exploring all options. I believe that’s where my creativity kicks in. I try to pass that on to the children I Nanny. Another love of mine is singing. I’m not the best singer, but singing can bring such joy, peace and calm. I have a song for almost everything, child related and not child related. I also like to create some songs my own based on the moment and situation we are in. I love the opportunity to get messy, loud and energetic with children. Knowing they had a full fun and educational day makes me feel accomplished at the end of they day. I truly love caring for children, discovering their unique personalities, offering my talents and wisdom for fun and wonderful memories. My overall goal is to be the change that I would like to see in the world and help other nannies do the same. Please see the Committee Appointments list for a list of committees for which Tassecia is the chair.
Reagan Fulton
Secretary
Reagan is a Cincinnati native, nature lover, and mom with a dynamic career journey that spans from being a dedicated career nanny to serving as the Marketing Coordinator for Adventure Nannies and the Director of Nanny Camp. With a deep passion for creativity, adventure, and continuous growth, Reagan brings a wealth of experience in community-building and storytelling to the INA Board of Directors. Reagan is committed to advancing the mission of the INA by supporting and empowering the nanny community, particularly focusing on helping isolated subsets find their people and fostering vibrant, inclusive connections. Reagan’s work is centered on creating opportunities for nannies to connect, learn, and grow, ensuring that every member of the community feels valued and supported.
Helen McCarthy
Director
Helen McCarthy – (London, United Kingdom) Helen is a Professional Qualified British Nanny (N.N.E.B) with over 33 years experience as a Nanny, NCS, Childcare Consultant and has worked in Europe, Asia, USA, UAE and the UK. Helen has devoted her career to the care of children at all stages of life, with all levels of needs. Over the course of the past 24 years, Helen has developed an exclusive focus on caring for new-borns. As one of the pre-eminent NCS’s, she has amassed a deep understanding of the needs and development of newborns including premature infants, twins, triplets, and babies with allergies. 2015 saw Helen returning to nannying after attending Nannypalooza which inspired her to become a member of the INA. Helen was named INA 2016 Nanny of the year which saw her travel to Australia where she spoke at Nannypalooza OZ and being featured in the Financial Times Documentary on the new Upstairs Downstairs. Helen’s passion for educating Nannies to the highest level has seen the launch of UK Nanny, Ltd., the only events company for Nannies. Helen has been an INA Member since 2015 and joined the Board in 2018. Please see the Committee Appointments list for a list of committees for which Helen is the chair.
Danny Rosenthal
Director
With a childcare career spanning over 20 years, Danny J Rosenthal has established himself as a prominent authority in the realm of childcare. As the author behind “Nanny ABCs: The Sitter’s Handbook”, the host of the parent’s guide to being a proper nanny boss “Be The Best Nanny Boss Ever Podcast,” and, the host of Enginehire’s “How to Build a Nanny Agency” podcast Danny’s expertise is widely recognized and respected.
Danny founded United NannyAgency in Chicago, IL to provide the highest level of customer service to both famailies and nannies with a seamless and stree-free placement process. Danny is concurrently the Director of Community and Partnerships for Enginehire, the leading childcare agency software, where he able to assist the leaders who run the childcare industry equally as much as the clients and candidates the who depend on it.
Danny’s expertise has been featured by the US Nanny Association, CareNectar, Adventure Nannies, Seattle Nanny Network, Via The Village, Care.com, Huffpost, Enginehire, and the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies. Furthermore, Danny has had the privilege of presenting at the 2021 and 2022 US Nanny Conferences as well as the 2022 International Nanny Association conference.
While Danny Rosenthal’s professional achievements are notable, he attributes his success to the unwavering support of his loving wife, Alice, and his son.
Chelsea Klassen
Director
Chelsea Klassen is a travel nanny based in Canada with 10+ years experience working with families from around the world. Her travel nanny experiences have taken her to four continents. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Global Development Studies in 2018 and a Master’s degree in Development Studies in 2022. Chelsea is a faculty in the Global Development Studies program at the University of the Fraser Valley and the lead researcher at the CHASI Hub. Chelsea centres her nanny practice on excellence, education and empathy, and strives to provide families with bespoke care that is considerate of each member’s unique needs.
Elainy Rodriguez
Director
Elainy is a trilingual career nanny with Dominican roots, a deep respect for village-style caregiving, and over a decade of experience supporting children and families across the U.S. and internationally. A proud INA member and Nanny of the Year nominee, she is known for her calm leadership, collaborative spirit, and dedication to respectful, individualized care.
She has worked extensively with high-profile and ultra-high-net-worth families. Passionate about mentorship, she is committed to uplifting newer nannies and creating spaces where all caregivers feel seen, supported, and empowered. She regularly shares her knowledge through one-on-one mentoring and community engagement, helping others navigate both the practical and emotional aspects of this work.
In addition to her caregiving, she volunteers with her local American Legion Auxiliary, reflecting her commitment to service and community building. Whether she’s guiding a new nanny, partnering with a family, or supporting a local cause, she leads with empathy, cultural awareness, and heart.
Jeny Lynn
Director
Jeny Lynn has over 15 years of professional nanny experience and has dedicated her career to nurturing and supporting the development of young children, with a particular focus on ages six months to three years. Her caregiving approach is rooted in patience, joy, and a deep respect for each child’s individual journey.
Jeny holds certifications in CPR, First Aid, AED, Water Safety, and has completed various specialized trainings and attended INA conferences in Portland and London. She also serves on the planning committee for SFiNNTD, where she collaborates with fellow professionals to uplift and advance the nanny community.
Jeny brings not only extensive hands-on experience, but also a strong commitment to advocacy, professional development, and community-building. She is especially passionate about welcoming and encouraging new nannies to engage with INA, helping them feel supported, seen, and empowered as they begin their careers.
Lisa Desboine-Murray
Director
Lisa DesBoine-Murray is the Founder and Owner of Duchess Nannies & Domestics, a luxury household management and private service placement agency known for delivering customized domestic staffing solutions. Her company also encompasses The Herbert Alfred Agency and Nannies From The Heart. With over 25 years of experience in high-end placements, Lisa prioritizes training, advocacy, and ongoing support.
She currently serves on the board of the Estate Management Network and actively supports the International Nanny Association (INA). Lisa is a former volunteer of the APNA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Committee, a mentor for the APNA Accelerator Program, and has contributed to Nanny Magazine and numerous industry events. She also co-founded AMONAPN, a nonprofit dedicated to uniting minority-owned agencies and nannies to advance industry standards.
Lisa recently completed Loyola College’s 6-month ASPIRE Leadership for Entrepreneurial Women course and was recognized as a SUCCESS Magazine Women of Influence Finalist for her trailblazing work in the domestic staffing field.
Lisa studied Business at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), is a mother of four, a proud “Nanny” to six grandchildren, and enjoys travel, crafts, books, and the Hallmark Channel.
Stephanie Fornaro
Director
Stephanie Fornaro is the founder of Hello Nanny, a modern placement agency built to connect families with reliable, professional childcare providers. With over 20 years of experience in business development and sales, Stephanie’s journey into the childcare world is both professional and deeply personal.
As a single mother of her first child, she navigated parenthood without a support system. Thirteen years later, with the birth of her second son and the ability to hire a nanny, she experienced the life-changing impact of reliable childcare. This connection inspired her to dive into the industry and ultimately launch Hello Nanny—an agency rooted in empathy, professional standards, and respect for nannies and families alike.
Stephanie is a certified CASA advocate, Fair Play facilitator, an active member of APNA and Postpartum Support International. She’s passionate about addressing the disconnect between families and nannies and works to elevate the childcare profession.
Beyond her mission-driven work, Stephanie enjoys wakeboarding, global travel, and culinary adventures. Her belief in the power of community drives everything she does, with a focus on building strong, supported families through trusted care.